Yes, and for people who aren't racing it can suffer from other annoying drawbacks - like the handlebars being to low to get comfortable on for someone who's not a racer and doesn't want to doing stretching to increase their flexibility to racer levels, and "responsive" handling than can sometimes be described as "twitchy and fatiguing" to people who don't race...

[QUOTE=m_yates;16870314](2) The weight savings of carbon fiber or other high end materials and components are irrelevant for the average person.

That's really annoying phrasing, the usual reason for buying low end carbon fiber is improved ride quality that's less fatiguing, not weight. (Not all carbon fiber is less fatiguing, but "endurance" designs for better ride quality like the specialized roubaix, trek domane, etc are).

I agree, but...

I wouldn't say the extra weight is a big deal, but I don't know that you get extra utility out of it either. If the CAAD doesn't have rack mounts I would probably agree with you, but most other aluminum and steel frame bikes (even the "racing" ones) usually do have rack mounts.

I agree that panniers win. However, there are racks available for most bikes without rack mounts, racks like the Axiom Streamliner. They attach through the wheel skewer on the bottom, and the brake mount on the top.

Sure.

I haven't ridden a CAAD, I've heard it's a full on aluminum racing bike, and as I said above it might have disadvantages - handling so responsive it's twitchy and annoying, a riding position that requires bending to far forward so it's uncomfortable for non-racers who don't do stretches to improve their flexibility, and a lack of rack mounts, which are convenient though it can be worked around.

But one doesn't have to go all the way in the opposite direction of a cargo bike either. Some people like the slower and more stable handling of those kind of bikes, but I like something that feels a little faster and more responsive without going into "twitchy" territory, which most of the "endurance" bikes do, and even many of the supposed "race" bikes.

This.

And hoenstly, if you are going to want to train for a race, then chances are you should just get 2 bikes: a racing bike and a commuter.

Different strokes. I have zero use for a rack on my commute, and panniers have so many drawbacks that I wouldn't consider them except for touring, grocery shopping and the like. OP says he'll carry little if any load daily so panniers don't matter. Racks don't matter. The ride matters.

It makes sense that for longer daily rides on the road, a road bike is the best choice. They aren't built just for speed, you can raise the handlebars if you want, I don't feel at all uncomfortable, differences in handling are a matter of a few rides to get used to, and so on. I pretty much disagree with all of the criticisms - but, there are racing bikes and then there are racing bikes. If you get something extreme or you are inflexible there could be problems.

Last year, and the two years before that, my commute was the same as OP describes but 4-5 days per week. A couple of years before that it was just a few miles, this year it is around 15 rt but every day, all weather. The racing bike configuration is not a problem - I've never said to myself "dang I wish I had a rack, suspension and bigger tires on this bike" nor even once "gee, this is uncomfortable and twitchy today." I jumped in cold at age 48 btw, out of shape and no experience, and barely able to ride 3 miles without distress, and for sure not a racer then or now.

They'll all work, and it's a matter of individual preference. I'm just saying, OP, don't let anyone scare you off the bike you want and that there is no real reason to be reluctant to use a road bike or "racing bike" for commuting. There are advantages and drawbacks of each style, but no line where you can definitively say "that won't work" nor "this is ideal."

Your point about utility is worth considering - especially if you only have one bike. However, "racing" bikes are not just for people who race. I ride a "race" bike nearly all the time and love it. It's fast, light, responsive and dives through corners with confidence. It's simply a really fun bike and helps motivate me to ride. And, btw, I'm older and not overly flexible. If I could store it in my office I'd commute on it when not carrying much.